Spending this much per month unlocks a range of new cars, or an even wider range of brilliant used cars. Here are 10 of the best
A £300 monthly budget for car finance is a healthy position to be in, giving you the choice of a good few brand-new cars. But, as with any budget, you’ll get much more for your money by buying used.
Sure enough, some of these cars will make your neighbours think you’ve spent a lot more than you actually have. You’ll find high-end petrol, hybrid and electric options, as well as hot hatchbacks and fantastic family SUVs for your budget. The choice is almost overwhelming!
For even more options, browse our wide range of cars under £300 per month.
BMW 3 Series
It’s long been a default choice if you want a premium saloon, and the BMW 3 Series is available for well under £300 per month if you don’t mind not having the very latest registration plate. You’ll typically find petrol models in the sporty and sought-after M Sport trim with decent mileage for this budget, or you can choose the 330e plug-in hybrid in nearly any trim level you like.
Whichever engine and trim level you pick, you’ll enjoy the 3 Series’ posh interior, generous power, sweet handling and motorway brilliance. As always, the 3 Series is available as a sleek saloon or a roomy estate (pictured).
Shop used BMW 3 Series cars for sale or read our BMW 3 Series review
Skoda Karoq
Vanilla is the best flavour of ice cream, and the Skoda Karoq – while a bit bland-looking at first – is one of the, er, tastiest SUVs. Its handsome, well-proportioned bodywork hides a smart and considered dashboard, featuring a blend of materials that strike a good balance between plushness and durability. The Karoq offers a huge amount of interior space and excellent versatility, but it’s also good to drive and comfortable.
It’s one of our favourite family haulers, and you can spend considerably less than £300 per month to get behind the wheel of one. You can even buy a Karoq with the zippy 1.0-litre petrol engine and in a decently equipped trim level for under £200 per month. We’ve included the Karoq here as the eye-catching Sportline and luxurious SE L trims are well within reach – giving you all the qualities we’ve just mentioned along with nicer upholstery and even more tech.
Shop used Skoda Karoq cars for sale or read our Skoda Karoq review
Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 has just been replaced by a brand-new model, but it hasn’t started appearing on UK streets yet and is much more expensive than this one. Two-year-old 3008s are easily within budget, and that includes high-spec GT cars with the futuristic plug-in-hybrid engine.
But every 3008 gets a whole load of equipment and a fancy interior. It’s clear that Peugeot really put the effort in to the 3008’s cabin, with a sleek design, piano-key buttons and a pleasing mix of materials and textures. Further back, the 3008 offers plenty of space for a growing family.
Shop used Peugeot 3008 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 3008 review
Ford Kuga
Another of our favourite midsize SUVs is the Ford Kuga, which blends the must-have practicality with a sporty driving experience that rivals overlook. ST-Line versions have the interior to match, with lots of go-faster red stitching and soft suede upholstery.
High-mileage drivers are best off with the EcoBlue diesel engines, which are capable of over 55mpg on long journeys. If your driving includes more of a mix of town stuff and faster roads, get the EcoBoost petrol engine. The 1.5-litre engine – shared with the phenomenal Fiesta ST, no less – is responsive and eager, ready to give you all of its power when you ask for it.
Shop used Ford Kuga cars for sale or read our Ford Kuga review
Skoda Superb
The Skoda Superb undersells itself. It’s more than superb, it’s almost unbeatable in several areas. Chiefly, practicality – the Superb has unbelievable amounts of rear legroom and a class-leading boot which, at 660 litres for the estate version, is big enough to qualify for its own postcode.
We feel old-fashioned saying this, but the diesel engine suits the Superb down to the ground. It excels at covering long distances, with outstanding comfort and the promise of close to 60mpg. There are also petrol and plug-in hybrid engines available if you’re not a high-mileage driver and, as we’ve come to expect from Skoda, these engines are also excellent.
Shop used Skoda Superb cars for sale
Citroen C5X
The Citroen C5 X is hard to classify. Even Citroen says it’s a mix of saloon, estate and SUV. Whatever it is, it’s striking and handsome. There’s more joy once you get past the styling, too, as the C5 X offers the soothing comfort that only a big Citroen barge does.
It looks expensive, so it might surprise you that the C5 X is actually one of the best-value cars on this list. Under £300 per month buys you a top-spec Shine Plus car that’s only a year or so old, with Citroen’s brilliant 1.2-litre petrol engine and an easy automatic gearbox. Let curiosity get the better of you and book a test drive.
Shop used Citroen C5 X cars for sale
Audi A6
An Audi A6 for the price of a compact hatchback? It’s true, and we’re even talking low-mileage A6s that aren’t quite three years old yet. Plump for the Sport trim and you can pick from powerful petrol or mile-munching diesel engines, as well as smaller alloy wheels that maximise ride comfort.
The A6 boasts Audi’s very latest interior design and infotainment technology, plus a suite of driver assistance features that almost let the car drive itself. Perfect for those boring journeys where you’d rather just get to your destination.
Shop used Audi A6 cars for sale
Volkswagen Passat
Much like the A6 and Superb, the Volkswagen Passat is a sensible, fuss-free way to soak up thousands of miles. It’s smart and elegant inside and out, and the interior is the last word in user-friendly features. This Passat comes from the time when VW absolutely nailed its cabins – you get all the tech to ensure the car feels modern, but wrapped in an intuitive environment with a sensible balance between analogue and digital.
Passats are often associated with diesel engines and, sure enough, there are still a couple of black-pump options that’ll get the best MPG on the motorway. There are also tried-and-tested petrol engines which are better for mixed driving, or there’s the Passat GTE plug-in hybrid that gives you petrol and electric power. All are available in our budget.
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Audi TT
After almost 25 years in production, the Audi TT has bowed out and is no longer being produced. Rather than rue the conspicuous sports-car-shaped hole in Audi’s lineup, why not enjoy a low-mileage late TT before it gets consigned to classic car shows and only being pulled out the garage once a week.
The TT uses much of the same parts as a Golf, so you get the sporty, aspirational looks with the backup of a reliable family hatchback. Add in a surprisingly big boot for its size and the TT is even quite easy to live with. And yet, it has the wow factor inside that’ll grab you every time you climb in.
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Kia Niro
Sports cars don’t get everyone’s juices flowing so, if you’d rather push yourself to get the best possible fuel economy, the Kia Niro is a top choice. Kia says it’ll do 64mpg, which is pretty impressive given that the Niro is an SUV with space for your family and friends. Every Niro has an electric motor, an automatic gearbox and an allergy to using lots of petrol – your choice is hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full electric.
The Niro has been thoroughly developed to be easy to live with. It drives obediently, it’s quiet and comfortable, has the balance of a seven-year warranty and lots of equipment to take the boredom away – including adaptive cruise control, digital dials and Apple CarPlay.
Shop used Kia Niro cars for sale
Read our top picks for other monthly budgets
- 10 of the best cars for under £150 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £200 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £250 per month
Affordable finance on used cars
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